Movie Review: Sonic The Hedgehog 2

 

There have been many attempts at adapting video games into live-action movies over the years, and quite a few have found success in retaining the themes and spirit that made those properties so beloved to fans in the first place. Thankfully, Sega's way past cool mascot fell into good hands when director Jeff Fowler was given the keys to the Sonic The Hedgehog franchise, and after listening to feedback from fans and redesigning the CG model of the beloved blue hedgehog closer to the games - we got something pretty special with the first Sonic The Hedgehog film released in early 2020, with Ben Schwartz voicing the fan-favorite character as he lives in our world as a refugee and finds a new home in Green Hills, Montana.

Thanks to UIP Movies PH, Paramount Pictures, and SM Cinema, I got to see a very special advance screening of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 - which is absolutely fantastic and probably one of the best video game movies and sequels ever made! Once again Jeff Fowler returns to direct, with Ben Schwartz once again voicing Sonic and the live-action cast returning in James Marsden and Tika Sumpter reprising their roles as Sonic's adopted human family in Tom and Maddie Wachowski, and Jim Carrey back as his nemesis Dr. Ivo Robotnik aka Eggman!

Here's my little Tweet describing what I feel about this sequel!

Here's highlights of the screening I attended last March 26 at SM North The Block Cinemas!

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Exclusive Advance Screening Highlights!🔵🍿 (March 30, 2022)

In Sonic The Hedgehog 2, our favorite blue hedgehog is adjusting to his new home and family with the Wachowskis while also moonlighting as a self-proclaimed superhero who fights the bad guys whenever he can. His peaceful life is put to the test when Robotnik manages to return, and he brings along a new friend and warrior called Knuckles the Echidna (Idris Elba) - who is searching for the Master Emerald and has declared Sonic as his enemy. Fortunately Sonic gains a new friend and ally in Miles "Tails" Prower (Colleen O'Shaughnessey), who idolizes the hedgehog and saves him from Eggman and Knuckles attack. As the Master Emerald holds great power and Knuckles is being manipulated by Robotnik to find it, Sonic and Tails must team up and find the legendary item before evil hands get their hands on it.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 | Final Trailer (Official)

As someone who grew up as a Sega Genesis/ Sega MegaDrive console owner during the "console wars" of the 1990's, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 absolutely warmed my heart and made me feel like a kid again. It's one of the best video game action comedy films I've seen that lives up to the energy, speed, and excitement of the source material - and there's plenty of easter eggs and nods to the original games and new titles that will get fans wanting more and more until the end. There's a mid-credits scene too, so be sure to watch out for that and catch this film in theaters with friends and family!

Sonic The Hedgehog is now playing in Philippine theaters!

Rating - 10/10

Movie Review: The Batman (Non-Spoiler)

 

For much of his storied career as a superhero and vigilante, the character of Batman has appeared in every form of media beyond his comic book roots. The character has become so relatable and iconic that his status as a symbol of justice remains embedded in the world of popular culture and cinema. We've had many versions and interpretations of The Dark Knight through the years, and many have identified with various actors who have donned the cape and cowl ranging from Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck. All have had their fans and detractors thanks to the way they've been depicted on screen. Some have remained legendary and iconic, while others are remembered for less than honorable reasons. However now the time has finally come to welcome a new man behind the Batsuit - and that's young English actor Robert Pattinson who portrays the title character in "The Batman".

Directed by Cloverfield and Planet of the Apes sequels director Matt Reeves, The Batman is yet another film reboot of the Caped Crusader's adventures in the big screen. Originally meant to be helmed by DC Extended Universe Batman Ben Affleck himself, the Oscar winning director and Hollywood actor instead stepped away from the project - leaving Warner Bros. to move on and give it to Reeves instead. As a result a new version of the character was envisioned and created, with Reeves drawing inspiration from 1970's crime films and reworking the story to focus on Bruce Wayne's early years fighting crime. This Batman is only on his second year dealing with criminals and working together with Jim Gordon, and has yet to master his methods as a crime fighter and detective - the latter skill being heavily emphasized as the movie sees a serial killer known as The Riddler systematically taking down Gotham's elite while leaving clues for the Dark Knight to piece together to solve the mystery.

Thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines, I finally got to see this nearly THREE HOUR LONG murder mystery superhero film at a FAN SCREENING held on March 1 - mere hours before the movie opened in select theaters past midnight of March 2! To say it was everything I hoped for in a non-sequel Batman movie is an understatement - Matt Reeves has created an EPIC masterpiece of a Batman movie that touches on what makes the character more than just a person donning a Bat costume and fighting crime to avenge his parents' deaths. 

Be sure to strap yourselves and get ready for a ride. Here's my review for The Batman.